In a press conference on Monday, Vice-President Kamala Harris thanked Texas House Democrats for showing extraordinary courage and commitment in leaving the state to break quorum in response to Republicans’ voter suppression bill House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 1.
At least 58 Texas representatives are making their way to Washington D.C. where they plan to increase support and demand Congress to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
“I met with them when many of them traveled to Washington D.C. We sat down and had an extensive conversation in the Roosevelt room in the Whitehouse,” Harris said. “I applaud them standing for the rights of all Americans and all Texans to express their voices through their votes unencumbered.”
She also said they are leaders who are marching in the past that so many others before did.
Former presidential candidate Beto O’ Rourke, who testified this weekend against HB 3 and SB1 tweeted a donation link to support the Democrats who left.
“We’ve raised $53,000 over the last two hours to support Texas Democrats in their fight for voting rights. Keep it going with a donation right now – let’s make sure they have the resources to stay in this fight for as long as it takes,” he tweeted.
A couple of Texas Democrats who have already said they left the state are Rep. Julie Johnson who tweeted this picture on the plane.
Rep. James Talarico also tweeted a photo with him and Rep. Senfronia Thompson with the caption: special session is over #txlege.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued this statement in response to Democrats leaving the state.
“Texas Democrats’ decision to break a quorum of the Texas Legislature and abandon the Texas State Capitol inflicts harm on the very Texans who elected them to serve. As they fly across the country on cushy private planes, they leave undone issues that can help their districts and our state.”
Kennedy is a recent graduate of the University of St.Thomas in Houston where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Celt Independent. Kennedy brings her experience of writing about social justice issues to the Texas Signal where she serves as our Political Reporter. She does everything from covering crime beats, Texas politics, and community activism. Kennedy is a passionate reporter, avid reader, coffee enthusiast, and loves to travel.